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The Houthis (Ansar Allah) shot down late on March 31 yet another MQ-9 Reaper combat drone of the United States military.
The combat drone was shot down while conducting “hostile acts” over the central Yemeni province of Ma’rib, Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a statement, adding that a “suitable locally-made missile” was used in the operation.
“The drone that was shot down in Ma’rib province was the sixteenth drone that our air defenses have succeeded in shooting down during the battle of promised conquest and holy jihad in support of Gaza,” the spokesman claimed.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm that they will continue to prevent Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas and will continue to support the Palestinian people until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege is lifted,” he vowed.
MQ-9 combat drones, which cost upwards of $30 million per a unit, are primarily used to collect intelligence, but have the ability to conduct pinpoint strikes. The advanced drones can operate for more than 27 hours and reach altitudes of over 25,000 feet.
Videos posted to social networks showed the alleged downed drone falling from the sky in a ball of fire, as well as the crash site in Ma’rib.
Right after the drone was shot down, Al-Masirah TV said that five U.S. strikes hit the capital region of Sanaa and at least 18 others hit the northern province of Sadaa, the heartland of the Houthis. No casualties were reported by the Yemeni news channel.
The U.S. military resumed strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on March 15 on orders from the U.S. President Donald Trump, who said that the large-scale operation was launched in response to the group’s renewed attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
The U.S. large-scale operation has so far claimed the lives of at least 61 people, including commanders of the Houthis and civilians. However, the operation is yet to deter the Houthis or degrade their military capabilities.
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